Crewe Alexandra Football Club: Introduction

Crewe Alexandra Football Club (nicknamed “The Railwaymen” or “The Alex”) is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. The club has a strong reputation for developing young players through its acclaimed youth academy and has a long history in the English Football League (EFL).

Currently, Crewe Alexandra plays football in English League Two. The staff here at the Soccer Fanbase wish the team and supporters every success in the future. So, here’s our overview of the club.

Before we continue, here’s a link to the club’s official website.

Crewe Alexandra Football Club: Foundation and History

• Founded: 1877
• Stadium: Mornflake Stadium (formerly known as Gresty Road) with a capacity of around 10,153.
• Current League: EFL League Two (fourth tier of English football, as of 2023-2024 season).
• Nicknames: Crewe Alexandra was named after Princess Alexandra, who became Queen Alexandra upon her marriage to Edward VII. The club initially formed as a branch of Crewe’s railway works, which is why its nickname is “The Railwaymen.” They also have the simple name “The Alex.”

Crewe has historically been a lower league side but gained attention for its focus on youth development rather than expensive signings. Although not regularly competitive at the highest level, the club has had several notable achievements over the years, including promotions to higher divisions and cup runs.

Key Moments in Crewe Alexandra’s History

• First Participation in the Football League: 1892, when they joined the newly formed Second Division.
• Highest League Finish: The club’s highest-ever league finish came in the 1997–98 season when they finished 11th in the First Division (now known as the Championship).
• Promotion Success: Under manager Dario Gradi, Crewe saw significant success, including promotions from the Fourth Division to the First Division (second tier) in the 1990s.
• League Cup Run: In the 1960 season, Crewe reached the semi-finals of the League Cup.

Youth Academy and Player Development

Crewe Alexandra is perhaps best known for its youth academy, which has produced a number of high-profile players. The club has a philosophy of nurturing young talent and giving them opportunities in the first team. Many players who came through Crewe’s academy went on to have successful careers in the Premier League and internationally.

Some notable academy graduates include:

• David Platt: Played for Aston Villa and Arsenal captained England in the early 1990s.
• Danny Murphy: Had a long career with Liverpool and Fulham.
• Dean Ashton: Played for Norwich City and West Ham United, also capped for England.
• Rob Jones: Played for Liverpool.
• Nick Powell: Later played for Manchester United and other clubs.

Crewe’s academy has earned a strong reputation for producing technically skilled and intelligent players, often at a fraction of the cost that larger clubs spend on recruitment.

Crewe Alexandra Football Club: Dario Gradi’s Legacy

• Dario Gradi, an iconic figure at the club, is closely associated with Crewe’s focus on youth development. Gradi managed the club from 1983 to 2007 and then again from 2009 to 2011, becoming one of the longest-serving managers in English football.
• During his tenure, Gradi helped shape Crewe Alexandra’s identity as a club that prioritizes player development over expensive transfers.
• Under Gradi, Crewe also earned several promotions and developed its “Crewe Academy Way,” a system that encouraged young players to learn technical skills and play an attractive, possession-based style of football.

Club Identity and Philosophy

Crewe Alexandra’s style of football emphasizes youth development, possession, and attacking football. They have been praised for their commitment to an attractive style of play, which contrasts with some of the more direct football often associated with the lower leagues of English football.

The club often promotes from within, and their “play the right way” philosophy has earned them respect within the English game, despite often operating on a limited budget.

Recent Seasons and Challenges

Crewe Alexandra has fluctuated between League One and League Two in recent years. The 2021-2022 season saw the club relegated to League Two after a difficult campaign, but they have shown resilience and commitment to rebuilding.

One challenge for Crewe Alexandra has been retaining their young talents, as many are often sold to bigger clubs before they can fully mature with Crewe’s first team. This has historically been part of the club’s model—developing young players and then selling them to sustain financial stability.

Crewe Alexandra Football Club: Rivalries

Crewe’s main rivals include nearby clubs:

• Port Vale: Known as the “Cheshire derby,” the matches with Port Vale are fiercely contested.
• Shrewsbury Town: There is a regional rivalry with Shrewsbury Town due to their proximity.
• Smaller Rivalry: The fans also love their team to beat Wrexham and Stoke City. Crewe’s traditional local rivals are Chester City and Stockport County.

Crewe Alexandra Football Club: Honours and Achievements

• Football League Trophy: Winners (2012–2013)
• Third Division Play-Offs: Winners (1997)
• Fourth Division/League Two Promoted: Various promotions over the years, with the most recent one being in 2020 when they secured promotion to League One.

Although Crewe Alexandra has not won any major honours, we will list a few of those we are aware of. For example, Crewe has won the Welsh Cup in 1936 and 1937. They have also won the Cheshire Premier Cup in 2009 and 2010. But Crewe’s trophy cabinet does hold quite a few more minor trophies.

Supporters

The club has a passionate but relatively small fanbase compared to larger clubs in the Football League. Crewe Alexandra’s community-cantered approach has cultivated a loyal following, with many local supporters invested in the club’s emphasis on youth development and financial prudence.

Crewe has never reached the higher English leagues but the fans are still faithful. Moreover, their Gresty Road Stadium has a relatively large capacity of 10,150 and the atmosphere can be electric at times. So, hats off to a great bunch of core football fans that have done their best to support their team.

Crewe Alexandra Football Club: Crest and Colours

The club’s crest features a rising sun with a football in the centre, symbolizing hope and growth, tying into the club’s theme of developing youth talent.

• Home Kit: Red shirts, red shorts, and red socks.
• Away Kit: Typically a combination of white, yellow, or black.

Crewe Alexandra’s enduring legacy is built on the foundation of its youth academy and a commitment to playing the game in an entertaining and skilful manner. Despite being a smaller club, they’ve had an outsized impact on English football through their player development and enduring style.

Promote Crewe Alexandra Football Club

If you support this famous old football team, then why not promote it here at the Fanbase. The Football Fan Base exists because we are passionate about the beautiful game. Indeed, it’s a place for all football supporters to socially interact and enjoy a little banter.

So, now that you understand what the Football Fan Base is all about, go ahead and get as much publicity here for your favourite team as you can. If you don’t, then your rival supporters will!

**Information updated on September 6, 2024.